The transcobalamins in polycythaemia vera.

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Polycythaemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm.
• Vitamin B12 binders, including transcobalamins (TC) I, II, and III, play a role in B12 transport.
• Unsaturated B12 binding capacity (UBBC) reflects the availability of B12 binding proteins in serum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between serum UBBC, transcobalamin levels, and the clinical course of polycythaemia vera.
• To evaluate the utility of UBBC and TC levels in monitoring PV activity and treatment response.

Main Methods:

• Serum UBBC and binding capacities of TC I, II, and III were measured in 21 PV patients.
• The charged cellulose filter technique was employed for these measurements.
• Measurements were taken during disease progression and after treatment.

Main Results:

• All PV patients exhibited high serum UBBC due to elevated TCIII.
• TC I levels were elevated in patients with leukocytosis and a left shift.
• Changes in TCIII and UBBC correlated with disease activity and decreased following chemotherapy, sometimes preceding changes in hematocrit or leukocyte count.

Conclusions:

• Serum TCIII and UBBC levels are valuable indicators of PV activity and treatment response.
• Monitoring TCIII and UBBC may aid in assessing disease progression and differentiating true PV from secondary polycythaemia.
• These markers can provide early indications of disease status changes.